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At three pines collective, we believe that loving where you work isn’t a luxury—it should be the standard. There’s a noticeable generational shift in how people view their careers. Older generations often subscribed to the idea that work was a means to an end: put your head down, get through the day, and enjoy life after hours. But today’s workforce expects more. People want to feel good about what they do, who they work with, and how their work impacts their lives—and their communities.
We see that expectation not as entitlement, but as evolution.
From day one, our team culture has been built on a simple foundation: put people first. Whether it’s a client, a member of our coworking space, or someone on our internal team, everyone deserves respect and the space to be heard. These might sound like obvious principles, but they’re often the first to disappear when a business gets busy or profitable.
Culture isn’t just a value—it’s a practice. And it’s one we return to daily.
Living and working in Bend, Oregon comes with incredible perks: nature, community, creativity. But it also comes with a high cost of living. In a city where rent and groceries aren’t cheap, offering competitive pay isn’t a perk—it’s the bare minimum.
That’s why we prioritize paying a livable wage, not just for experienced professionals, but for everyone on our team. Loyalty is earned when people feel secure and supported. When someone doesn’t have to worry about making rent, they can bring their full selves to work—and that’s when the best ideas happen.
We encourage open conversations about compensation. When employees talk about wages with each other and with us, it gives everyone clarity and builds trust. These conversations guide how we grow as a company and ensure that no one is left guessing where they stand.
Wage transparency is just one way we make sure our values are more than words on a page.
Inspired by Yvon Chouinard’s Let My People Go Surfing, we’ve adopted a flexible, trust-based work culture. We don’t believe in tracking hours or forcing people to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day just to appear productive.
In a mountain town like Bend, powder days are sacred. So we honor them. If the snow is falling and your work’s handled, go enjoy it. Come in early, finish late, work remotely—whatever works best for you. We hire responsible adults, and we trust them to make responsible choices.
Some old-school business owners might say, “If you give people too much freedom, they’ll take advantage of it.” But here’s the truth: if someone is doing their job well, why does it matter if they leave early or work from a coffee shop? Productivity should be measured by results, not visibility.
And if someone isn’t pulling their weight, that’s a conversation—not an excuse to punish the whole team.
We’ve seen this in action with our friends at Somewhere That’s Green, a plant shop in Bend led by owner John Kish. He pays well above industry standard, and his team has stayed with him for years. Why? Because they’re treated with respect, paid fairly, and given space to grow. That’s the power of culture.
It’s not about ping pong tables or kombucha on tap—it’s about creating an environment where people are seen, heard, and valued.
At three pines collective, our base salary is $52,000—even for someone just starting out. That’s our way of saying: we see you, we value your time, and we want you to thrive.
When older generations ask, “What happens if you pay everyone a livable wage?”—our answer is simple: everyone survives. Everyone is happier. Everyone does better work. That’s the kind of workplace—and community—we’re building.
We don’t just talk about culture because it’s trendy. We build it, daily—because it’s good for people, and it’s good for business. A thriving culture helps retain talent, spark creativity, and create a ripple effect that strengthens the broader community.
At three pines collective, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that puts humans first. And we hope more businesses join us.
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